BRPI1004195A2 - display arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

EXHIBITOR ARRANGEMENT A display arrangement (1) comprising a first display element (20a-20f) which displays letters, numbers and / or images when energy is applied thereto and which continues to display said letters, numbers and / or images after the energy is no longer applied to it, and a second display element (24), which only works while the energy is applied to it. The first display element 20a-20f may be a cholesteric panel or a bistable nematic panel or may use e-ink technology to display letters, numbers and / or images. The second display element may comprise one or more light sources, such as LEOs.

Description

"EXHIBIT ARRANGEMENT" Field of the invention

The invention relates to a display arrangement and particularly, although not exclusively, related to a display arrangement for providing information to the public using minimal energy. One possible application is to allow travel information to be provided in places where energy supply by other means - is not cost effective or impractical. Background of the invention

In recent years, the development and installation of equipment to provide passengers with up-to-date information on the arrival and departure of public transport services (eg trains and buses) has resulted in such information being available to a large number of locations, including train stations and various bus stations and stops.

However, installed systems are generally assembled in places where there are a large number of passengers and where the supply of electricity is relatively easy.

For many locations where passengers are less and energy supply is more difficult, it is not possible to justify installing such hardware when power supply and any other means of infrastructure installation would not be cost effective. Existing information systems use technologies (typically LED and LCD) which, especially when combined with standard computing hardware, require a lot of energy to be powered by renewable sources such as wind and solar due to the fact that they are not cost effective to install the panel area and the appropriate battery required to supply these systems.

Therefore, there are a large number of locations where live transportation information may be useful but where it is not available, and where this is highly unlikely to be available, primarily due to the cost of major sources of electricity. Additionally, conventional display types utilize a considerable amount of energy and consequently generate proportional amounts of greenhouse gases. Summary of the Invention

The present invention is intended to provide transmission of or other information to remote locations using signaling which is designed to minimize power consumption and to reduce overall consumption to a level where it can be installed at any remote location. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display arrangement comprising a first display element which displays letters, numbers and / or images when energy is applied to it, and which continues to display said letters, numbers and / or images for a period after energy is no longer applied to it; and a second display element which only functions as long as the energy is applied to it.

Said period is longer than the time taken for a conventional display element to be turned off. Using current technology, said period may be at least one month and in some applications letters, numbers and / or images may be retained in the first substantial display element,

indefinitely, or maintained as long as they are updated or replaced.

The first display element may, for example, be a "cholesteric panei" or a bistable nematic panei. Alternatively, the first display element may use technology and ink to display the letters, numbers- and / or images.

The display arrangement may include a sign. The sign can display travel information such as bus, tram, and train arrival times. For example, the first display element may display vehicle identification information and the second display element may display at the time of arrival of a vehicle. The second display element may include one or more light sources, such as one or more LEDs. Light sources can be aligned on a numbered line. The numbered line may comprise a "time track" which indicates when a transport service should arrive. Thus, the time until service is due can be indicated by illuminating a light source close to the appropriate number. The light source can be lit intermittently to save energy and to attract an observer's attention. For example, the light source may flash. The display arrangement may be energized by all available means. For example, it can be energized through a solar power generator. Alternatively, or additionally, the display arrangement may be energized via a wind power generator. The solar power generator and / or wind power generator may be located in the display arrangement. The display arrangement may be powered by a battery which may be self-recharging via the solar power generator and / or the wind power generator.

The display arrangement may be attached to a support post. The support pole may also support the solar power generator and / or wind power generator. The display arrangement may include a processor which may be equipped with a GPRS modem. The processor can receive messages from a server in real time through the modem. When messages are received, the display arrangement may decode the message and change the letter (s) number (s) and / or image (s) of the first display element or update additional information that may be displayed through the arrangement. exhibitor. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a display arrangement comprising: an electronic tag reader;

an information tile with an embedded electronic tag which can be read by the electronic tag reader; and

a processor that controls the display arrangement of the display arrangement in response to the output of the electronic tag reader in reading the data contained in the electronic tag. The tag can be an active or passive electronic tag. For example, the tag may be an RFID tag.

A plurality of information plates may be provided, each having its own electronic tag, the processor changing the display arrangement of the display arrangement to fit any of the information plates to fit into the display arrangement. In one construction, each information plate is provided with information about the route of a transport vehicle. For example, the information may be printed or attached to the plates. The electronic tag attached to the board or embedded in the board may be appropriately coded prior to implantation, such that when the board is placed on or in the display arrangement, the tag reader reads the tag and determines an output to the processor, making With a signal output configure the display arrangement to match the information provided on the label.

Due to its compact size, limited power demand and inherent flexibility of configuration, the invention could be used to provide other information for the site.

In addition, the invention may be used to provide such information wherever it may be needed, whether power is available on site or not, when it requires less power demand, and if a solar or wind power source is provided. The invention will reduce or eliminate energy demand from the power grid and thus reduce or eliminate the generation of carbon dioxide associated with its ongoing operation.

Thus, carbon preservation benefits are obtained by the present invention.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how it can be accomplished, reference will now be made with the accompanying drawing illustrating an exhibitor arrangement in accordance with the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring to Figure 1, a display arrangement 1 according to the present invention comprises a sign 2 which is used to display bus numbers and estimated bus arrival times.

The display arrangement 1 is connected to a support post 4 which may be part of or adjacent to a bus stop or shelter (not shown). A cantilevered cover arrangement 6 projects substantially at right angles from the support post 4. An upper surface 8 of the cover arrangement 6 comprises a curved solar panel 10. The storage battery, processor and associated circuits (not shown) are contained within a hollow interior of the cover arrangement 6, and an additional sign 12 may be suspended from a lower part of the cover 6.

The support pole 4 is hollow and provides a wiring conduit which interconnects the display arrangement 1 with the circuitry in the cover arrangement 6. A GPRS antenna and modem (not shown) are mounted on the cover arrangement 6 and are electrically connected to the circuitry and processor. A vertical axis wind turbine 14 is attached to the top of the support pole 4. The solar panel 10 and wind turbine 14 are connected to the circuit assemblies and charge the storage battery when they are in operation.

The display arrangement 1 illustrated in Figure 1 presents information in three distinct forms: (1) the information which is changeable is rarely provided in display arrangement 1 by means of a series of cholesteric panels 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e and 20f;

(2) the information which is subject to change is often indicated through the respective sources.

which may be in the form of LEDs 22a to 22f, each LED being situated next to a respective cholesteric panel, and a time track 24 of LEDs which indicate the estimated arrival time of the next service.

(3) the information which is unlikely to change during the lifetime of the display arrangement 1 is provided in a wrapper 18 of the sign 2. In the configuration illustrated in Figure 1, the information is provided in a tag 16,

which is attached to a front surface of the housing 18.

As mentioned in paragraph (1) above, information that is rarely changed, such as destination bus route numbers, is shown in the cholesteric panels 20a to 20f in semipermanent form. A cholesteric panel employs an LCD technology panel, where the panels can have an image recorded on it and when power is removed, the image remains until the device is turned back on and a new image is recorded on the panel.

While cholesteric LCD panels are used in the illustrated embodiment, other technologies such as different varieties of e-ink and other emerging technologies such as biostable nematic panels may also be used.

As an alternative to recordable electronic panels, it is possible to use simple plastic plates which have a built-in RFID chip. White boards may have the route information printed on (or attached to) them, and the RFID tag properly coded prior to deployment. When the card is placed in the display unit, the display reads the RFID tags and configures itself appropriately.

Whatever the board or panel technology employed, each board or panel 20a to 20f is provided with a corresponding LED 22a to 22F which is located next to it, so that each LED is clearly associated with a respective board or panel. panel.

The rapid change of information, as mentioned in paragraph (2) above, comprises two elements: a) the time until service is expected; and b) any messages that are required to be relocated. The time until service is waited is shown in time track 24 which comprises a row of LEDs which are numbered. The time until service is waited is indicated by the flashing of the LED next to the appropriate number. This will usually be numbered in. minutes (for example, from 1 to 15), but can have long periods, shown by marking the "higher value" LEDs with time intervals such as 10-15 minutes, 15-20 minutes, etc. To show the time to service, the LED next to the service number and the corresponding LED on time track 24 are illuminated so that a connection between these two elements is clear (eg flashing simultaneously). When required to indicate the longest time of a service, each service is highlighted since a display arrangement control system circulates through the services and their respective times. After completing each complete cycle, the sequence is interrupted and then restarted. Order and all times may change as required by the circumstances. For night operation, when it is not easy to read panel subtitles, front illumination can be provided for panels 20a to 20 f. In this mode, the front-mounted LEDs are flashing once the usual LED service is highlighted. In this way, attention is drawn to the correct panel at the relevant time, but no additional energy is required.

Where technically possible, the front illumination LEDs are fused "" into a "transparent plastic prism, which also coats the front face of panels 20a to 20f, and is optically attached to it. The prism ensures light emitted by LEDs are reflected towards the face of the panels 20a to 20f This ensures that there is minimal light output and that the maximum amount of light is incident on the panel face which is therefore rendered more easily visible to any LED power, again, maximizing power efficiency.

Service times are provided for display arrangement 2 via a wireless connection from a central server (not shown). The server sends a signal that is picked up through the antenna, processed by the processor and the control circuitry in cover arrangement 6, and converted into a current, which is reset to the appropriate LED over time track 24. When the service is, for example, from 15 minutes onwards, the processor subsequently counts the number down and lights the appropriate LEDs, in turn over time track 24, until service is authorized, unless notified by the server that the previous forecast was incorrect. Alternatively, the processor may be programmable and thus may control non-standard messaging methods, or any combination of messaging methods.

The processor may also be used to indicate messages by illuminating one or more of any number of LEDs located near (and visually associated with), preprinted text in response to a signal from the server. Therefore the display arrangement 2 can transmit complex messages while consuming minimal power. Although not as versatile as free text, this method makes it possible to indicate key messages when needed. Under most circumstances this will be sufficient. For example, when arrival time is not available (for example, where there may be infrequent daytime services and consequently long service intervals), then an LED may be used to indicate that the next service is available. "on the way" or alternatively "not running".

In an alternate configuration, display arrangement 2 is capable of managing many such message LEDs in any way that may be required. As an example, it is possible to construct a London Underground "Rainbow" arc, which indicates the status of the service on each of the LUL lines by illuminating one of four LEDs (which may be of different colors) to indicate if service on a subway line is "good", has "short delays", "severe delays" or is "suspended".

Alternatively, the text of these "sticky messages" could be written to a cholesteric panel or equivalent. A system of LEDs, which are visually associated with each text message, can then be used to highlight any applicable message as possibly required.

A modified system may also support additional content associated with a service number (where the server is able to provide this information). For example, if notified of the next service time, when any service provided is "clearly low", the processor may be programmed to record the relevant information for the panel 20a to 20F. Also, in most cases, the server will notify the processor of the destination of a service when the server notifies the processor of the arrival or departure time. This destination text can also be saved to the panel if desired. This allows notification of destinations which differs from the normal destination for that route. In addition, it is also possible, where such information is available, to modify the "via" details on panels 20a to 20f to service services that may take on one of several routes to the same destination.

Although the configuration has illustrated a plurality of separate panels, they are used to display rarely changing information, such as bus route numbers, in an alternate configuration, only a single panel may be provided to show multiple information plates. For ease of reference, an image on the panel can be outlined by lines that segment it. Alternatively, it may be covered with a cover which subdivides the information on the panel.

The single panel may, for example, display a plurality of bus route numbers in a column with a light source, such as an LED next to each bus route number.

In addition, information that changes frequently can be indicated through any display element, such as a lamp, an LED, another light source, or a display panel, which only works while power is applied to it.

Claims (17)

1. Display arrangement, characterized in that it comprises a first display element which displays letters, numbers and / or images when energy is applied to it, and which continues to display said letters, numbers and / or images after energy. no longer applied to it; and a second display element which only operates while the Display arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first display element is a cholesteric panel. Display arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first display element is a bistable nematic panel. Display arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the first display element utilizes e-ink technology to display letters, numbers and / or images. Display arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a sign. Exhibitor arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the sign displays travel information. Display arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first display element displays vehicle identification information. Display arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the second display element displays the arrival time of a vehicle. Display arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the second display element comprises one or more light sources. Display arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that the second display element comprises a plurality of light sources which are aligned in a numbered line. Display arrangement according to Claim 10, characterized in that the numbered line of light sources comprises a time course indicating when a transport service is to arrive. Display arrangement according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that at least one light source is intermittently illuminated. Display arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that. fact of understanding even a solar energy generator. Display arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it further comprises a wind energy generator. Display arrangement according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that it further comprises a support pole, the solar power generator and / or the wind power generator to be fixed to the support pole. Display arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the second display element comprises one or more LEDs. A display arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising a processor and a modem, the signals received by the modem causing the processor to update the first display element and / or second display element and / or other letters, numbers and / or images displayed through the display arrangement.